Abid Din & Zahid Rasul

Now that the equipment list required for a home network has been established the next step is to install the hardware ready for the network to be created.

The first step is to find out which type of network you require a wired, wireless or both. Depending on that you should have the correct router

The next step is to install the network cards - Now you might be thinking where do you install them or how, I will explain now.

- Note* Most PC's have an ethernet and/or wireless cards installed in them, *If this applies to you skip this step*
- For those of you wanting a home network and needing to install a PCI ethernet or wireless card, this is easy to do. However, saying that, the USB wireless adapters are prefered for those not confident in installing cards inside the computer. Internet USB adapters are plug and play and therefore very easy to install as you simple plug it in a USB slot.

Installing a PCI card
- First of all you need turn the computer off and unplug the power supply cable.
- The next step is to get a screwdriver to open the computers side panel

Once you've removed the side panel, insert the ethernet or wireless card in the PCI slot - it may take some pressure. The image above will show you where - Before fitting it in you will need to remove a metal panel from inside the back end of the computer so that you can fit the card in.
- Now that the card is in you can screw the casing back on and if it was a wireless card screw the aerial on the end

You need to do this on all the computers you want to connect to the network, laptops already have a LAN card integrated in it and also has wireless included, therefore you dont need to worry about that.

Now that the computers are all in place with the network devices installed on the computers and laptops you need to install the main product which will run the network, the router.

Depending on the type of connection you will require a phone line or cable available by the computer you want to connect the router too and an accout with an ISP (Internet Service Provider). You need to connect the router to the modem 'unless' you have a modem router.

You then connect the router to the main computer. You should have your cables ready to connect to the router if it's a wired ethernet connection.

Simply just plug the Ethernet cable(s) to the back of the router from the computer in the house and have an ethernet cable connecting the router and modem. The diagram below will show you how the final set up should be done

If you followed the guide successfully, you have set up the required hardware in order for you to create your network!